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Himalayan
Forest Research Institute (HFRI), Shimla
was established as High Level Conifer
Regeneration Research Centre during May
1977 for carrying out Research on
problem associated with natural
regeneration of Silver Fir and Spruce.
The institute made its humble beginning
from this Centre and at the time of
re-organization of forestry research in
Indian Council of Forestry Research &
Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, during
1998, Government of India appreciated
the problems of Temperate Eco-system and
decided to upgrade this Centre in to a
full-fledged research institute. |
Director's Message
|
Shri Mohinder Pal
Director, HFRI Shimla |
It
gives
me
immense
pleasure
to
welcome
you
to
the
official
webpage
of
Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI),
Shimla. The Institute caters to the forestry
research
needs
of
the
States
of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The
Institute has been declared as an Advanced
Centre for Cold Desert Afforestation and Pasture
Management
by
the
Council
for
taking
up
advanced
research
in
eco-restoration
of
these
harsh
sites. |
|
I
hope,
the
information
given
in
the
webpage
will
be
of
great
help
to
the
viewers.
Suggestions
for
improving
the
website
are
welcome. |
|
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The mandate of
this Centre had also been enlarged to cater to
forestry research needs pertaining to
eco-rehabilitation of Cold Deserts of mined
areas and regeneration of Coniferous and
broadleaved forests, besides activities on
management practices including insect-pests
management in temperate forests and in alpine
areas too. Popularization of agro-forestry and
other related extension activities has also
included in its mandate. This Centre has now
been re-designated as Himalayan Forest Research
Institute, Shimla and is a regional research
institute of ICFRE with an area of
responsibilities extending to the states of
Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
This Institute
till date has made significant contribution to
the artificial regeneration of Silver fir (Abies
pindrow) and Spruce (Picea smithiana) by
carrying out research on their seeds, nursery
practices and planting technology. Other notable
achievements include development of nursery and
planting techniques, etc. of other conifers
like, Deodar, Taxus Chir-Pine, Blue-Pine,
including their broadleaved associates like,
Birdcherry, Horsechestnut, Oaks, Maples, Poplars
and species endemic to the cold desert areas.
Research and extension activities of the
Institute includes, establishment and
standardization of agro-forestry models in the
lower and mid hills of Himachal Pradesh,
eco-economic rehabilitation of mine damaged
areas including organizing the workshops and
trainings for the user groups. Considerable work
has been taken up in the cold desert areas of
Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir for
documentation of flora of such areas including
the standardization of nursery techniques for
the species endemic to the cold deserts. Studies
on assessment of floristic diversity and
animal-plant relationships in the Wildlife
Sanctuaries have also been initiated with the
hope that the Institute will contribute on these
aspects too, in the times to come. Insect-pest
attacks and diseases of Deodar, Shisham, Chir-Pine,
Blue-Pine, Siris, Oaks and Willows were
investigated and remedial measures suggested to
the State Forest Departments of Himachal Pradesh
and Jammu & Kashmir. A good success has also
been made towards standardization of
agro-practices of medicinal plants especially of
the temperate region. This way, the Institute
has contributed/ is contributing its expertise
to this most fragile, sensitive and susceptible
ecosystem for better and scientific management
of the forest eco-system in the states of
Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Mandate of the
Institute dealing with temperate, alpine and
cold desert areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu
& Kashmir thereby enabling the Institute to
cater to the forestry research needs of the
above mandated states of HFRI has been revisited
during 2007 and the revised mandate is as under:
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To assess the
current status of natural regeneration of
important plant species.
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To develop
cost effective nursery, planting and seed
technologies of important plant species.
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To develop
technologies for rehabilitation of mined
areas, stress sites and other fragile areas.
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To survey,
identify and document the species of cold
deserts and develop suitable technologies
for biomass production in case of important
plants.
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To survey and
to assess the productive potential of alpine
pastures and grasslands in the low lying
areas.
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To develop
economical and environmental friendly pest
and disease management technologies for
seed, nursery, plantation and natural
forests.
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To assess
conservation status of flora including
development of agro-techniques of
commercially important non-timber forest
products.
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To identify
and to create awareness about the
multi-purpose tree species for various
agro-climatic zones to supplement their
income including bio-fuel species.
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To study and
analyze the various aspects related to
global warming in temperate ecosystems.
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To identify
and promote cost effect forestry management
practices for enhancing the livelihood of
forestry dependent communities.
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To take up
research/ studies on urban forestry, which
is another emerging area.
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To undertake
consultancies in the field of ecology,
biodiversity conservation, insect-pest
incidences, non-wood forest products and
other issues pertaining to the silvicultural
importance.
The Institute also
has the National mandate of eco-restoration of
cold deserts and accordingly has been declared
as ‘Centre for Advanced Studies for Cold Desert
Afforestation and Pasture Management’.
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ICFRE
has been implementing programmes aimed at
holistic development of forestry research,
education and extension for sustainable
management and development of forestry
resources in the country.